Air Conditioner Sound Levels

June 9, 2015

Even the quietest condensers make some noise, so it is important to work with air conditioner contractors to find a location to place the condenser that is not near a bedroom or office/study window where you need some peace and quiet.

Below is a comparison table of how loud a condenser (outside unit) and the indoor unit is when they are in operation.

The Mr. Slim models from Mitsubishi run very quietly and are one of their top selling features. The indoor unit that will be installed inside a room can run even more quiet than someone carrying a conversation in a whisper and the outside unit is slightly louder than a bird chirping outside your home.

AC sound level is important

Different brands and models have different sound levels so please consult with your contractor to determine how loud each component may be.

Here's why you'll want to consider AC sound levels:

Take into account their neighbours if residing in an apartment/condo or townhome complex.

There may be strata rules or bylaws that prohibit exceeding noise levels or permanent outdoor installations.

Get formal approval and a written letter from council that states you are allowed to put in an air conditioner outdoors and the maximum number of decibels it can be before calling an air conditioner contractor to get a quote.

If you spend lots of time and effort in choosing an AC only to find out council won't let you install it, you'll have to spend even more time redoing the whole process.